Wireless subscription management with dynamic allocation of unique network addresses

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication device is associated with a fixed site device or substantially non-mobile device such as a set-top box, a burglar alarm or intelligent vending machine. The wireless communication device is preprogrammed with a generic network address only. When it is desired that the fixed site device or non-mobile device communicate over a network, the wireless communication device sends an activation request message to the network, including its generic network address. An activation response message is subsequently received from the network and includes a unique network address. Subsequent communication is effected using the unique network address. When the communication is complete, the unique network address is disassociated from the wireless communication device and returned to a pool of unique network addresses for use by other wireless communication devices.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.08/963,446 filed Nov. 3, 1997, herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and a system for activating awireless device. More particularly, the present invention provides foran automated process for managing an over-the-air activation,deactivation, or change of service for a two-way wireless communicationdevice, e.g., a radio modem such as a pager or a wireless phone. Theover-the-air operations are performed via a wireless subscriptionmanagement network.

The present invention is also directed to a method and system fordynamically assigning a unique network address to a first wirelessdevice on a temporary basis, subsequently recapturing that uniquenetwork address and later reassigning that same or another uniquenetwork address to a second wireless device.

2. Background of the Invention

A conventional wireless electronic communication device, for example aradio modem such as a two-way pager, is traditionally put into servicefor a customer through a service provider. The service provider may be adifferent entity than a network provider, i.e., the entity providing thewireless communications infrastructure, such as a MOBITEX network (thede facto international standard for two-way wireless datacommunications). As is known in the art, a basic MOBITEX networkincludes base stations, local switches, national switches, and a networkcontrol center.

The activation process for a particular communication device generallyrequires that, once the service provider determines that the customershould be authorized for service, the service provider contacts thenetwork provider. The determination if and how to activate thecommunication device can be based on a number of factors, such as userprovided information (for example, the user's credit report, servicearea, type of services requested and price option). The service providerthen provides to the network provider, for example, the serial numberassigned by the manufacturer of the communication device and a uniquenetwork address of the device (UNA), also assigned by the manufacturer.The network provider then activates the device.

The activation process itself is performed manually, i.e., the requireduser information must be provided to and then processed by the serviceprovider and subsequently forwarded to the network provider. Further,the activation process is not generally performed in real-time. Theactivation process also presumes a number of different operations thatare performed by the manufacturer at the time the device ismanufactured, such as the manual programming of a unique network address(UNA) for each communication device. Thus, the activation process can belabor-intensive and costly.

Every conventional wireless device has a unique network address, e.g., aunique phone number or equivalent identifier so that signals can bedirected to a particular device. As indicated above, the manufacturermust assign this unique network address to the device at the time ofassembly. Even if the communication device, such as a radio modem, isnot activated at the time of manufacture, the device is neverthelessassigned a unique network address from a limited pool of such addresses.The manual assignment of a unique address at the time of manufactureincreases the cost of manufacturing each wireless device, and requiresthat careful records be kept of network addresses used to avoid anyduplication.

UNAs assigned to manufacturers will become increasingly difficult tomanage as the volume of units required to fulfill market requirementsgrows. The current manual process of multiple services will become costprohibitive. Assigning UNAs begins with the allocation of a range ofUNAs to a radio modem manufacturer. The manufacturer then programs a UNAinto each radio modem and records the UNA and manufacturer serial numberpair. An electronic copy of a list with the UNAs is provided to thenetwork operator who will provide service for the devices. Since thereare different operators and various ranges assigned to each operator,activation of each device is typically a manual (and thereforeerror-prone process). Similarly, changing the UNA from a local toregional or international UNA, or to the address range of anotheroperator also requires a manual change process. For example, user andoperator exchange of account and device information, address, andmanufacture number, are done via fax, voice call, or E-mail. Theinformation is then manually entered into an account management system.Such a process is not only costly and time consuming, but also yields arelatively high number of errors that also need to be corrected viamanual trouble shooting and resolution procedures. For high volume, lowmargin markets, such as paging, the current method of operation is costprohibitive.

Further, the finite address space and international numbering planneeded to support MOBITEX creates an added level of complexity, cost,and security risk resulting in the proliferation of radio modemprogramming tools. This is another problem that must be addressed. SinceUNA space is limited, controlled allocation and reprogramming of UNAs isnecessary. The variety of tools and skills required to program radiomodems also represents a sales impediment in addition to the securityrisk and potential for error. Further, limiting the access to tools thatpermit reprogramming of UNAs increases system security and decreases therate of errors while improving customer satisfaction and convenience.

Further still, there are many wireless device applications for which itmay not be desirable to assign a unique network address (UNA) to awireless device that identifies that device for its entire life. Forexample, in some applications a wireless device might be used onlyperiodically, e.g., once per day, week or month. In view of the limitednumber of available UNAs, it is wasteful and uneconomical to assign aUNA to a wireless device that operates in this manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wirelesssubscription management system and a method for an automated,over-the-air process of managing and administering wirelesscommunication devices. Further, the present invention minimizes manualprocess and data entry error in addition to simplifying thedistribution, production and programming of wireless devices.

Further still in accordance with the present invention there is provideda wireless subscription management system and method that dynamicallyassigns unique network addresses. More specifically, a wireless devicequeries the service provider for a UNA and thereafter registers with aservice provider for only a limited period of time after which the UNAthat was associated with that wireless device is returned to a pool ofUNAs from which individual UNAs are pulled for dynamic association withor allocation to other wireless devices. This aspect of the presentinvention is advantageously used with wireless devices associated withfixed sites including, for example, (i) “intelligent” vending machinesthat may alert an owner that merchandise inventory has fallen below apredetermined threshold, (ii) burglar/fire alarms that only need to sendinformation when the alarm is tripped or (iii) television set-top boxesvia which pay-per-view programming or even products and/or services canbe offered for sale and bought.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for dynamically associating a unique network addresses (UNA)to a wireless device upon request initiated by the wireless device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for dynamic UNA allocation for wireless devices associatedwith fixed sites.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system andmethod for dynamically allocating a UNA to a wireless device, whereinthe wireless device is associated with a vending machine, alarm system,television, television set-top box and/or any other appliance such as arefrigerator, dishwasher or air conditioning system.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentupon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wireless communication deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary implementation of anover-the-air activation (OAA) process for the wireless communicationdevice illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary contents of an activation request messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a data flow in the wireless subscription management networkaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the exemplary contents of an activation response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary series of steps in accordance witha another aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a two-way wireless communication device 5 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The device 5 includes a memorystorage unit 13. The memory storage unit 13 includes, for example, alocation 1 into which a permanently assigned manufacturer serial number(MSN) is stored, and a location 3 for a programmable unique networkaddress (UNA). According to the present invention, the UNA is notinserted into the location 3 at the time of manufacture of the device 5.Instead, the UNA is inserted during the OAA process according to thepresent invention as described in detail below. In addition, the memorystorage unit 13 has a location 4 where, for example, an optionalsoftware application that initiates the OAA process is stored. Thesoftware application may also be in another device that may communicatewith the device 5. At a minimum, the device 5 contains a softwareapplication that will respond to an activation request and correspondingnetwork responses. Further, a location 2 of the memory storage unit 13stores a generic network address (GNA), for example, assigned by themanufacturer of the device 5 at the time of manufacture.

The device 5 also has a scanning circuit 6 that searches for a controlsignal from the nearest base station in a wireless network 12 (See FIG.4), and a wireless radio modem 11 that transmits and receives data toand from the network 12. In addition, the device 5 has an output device19, e.g., LCD screen, and an input device 20, e.g., a numerical pad,keyboard and/or voice recognition device. The device 5 is also equippedwith a microprocessor 21 which controls operation of the device 5.

The device 5 has, for example, two modes of operation: (1) an OAAprocess or pre-activated mode; and (2) an operational process or usermode.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary initiation sequence of the OAA process modeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The initiationsequence of the OAA process includes, for example, five steps. The firststep is to turn on the power to the device 5. The device 5 automaticallydetermines that the UNA is not present in the location 3 of the memorystorage unit 13 and initiates the OAA process, which is stored, forexample, as an application program in location 4 of the memory storageunit 13. The second step is to establish contact with the wirelesssubscription network 12. The scanning circuit 6, which is, for example,preprogrammed at the time of assembly, or by the service provider 16 atthe time of sale to the user, initiates a search for a usablecommunication channel of the network 12.

Once contact with the network 12 is established, the device 5, duringthe third step of the initiation sequence, prompts the user for theinformation required to activate the device 5 via, for example, theapplication software stored in location 4 of the memory storage unit 13.During the fourth step of the initiation sequence, the initial requestfor activation of the device 5 from the network 12 is formed via anactivation-request packet (ARP) 7 generated by the application program.The fifth step is to send the ARP 7 from the device 5 to the network 12via the wireless modem 11. Alternatively, steps 3 and 4 can be performedsimultaneously or prior to step 2.

An exemplary format of ARP 7 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The ARP 7utilizes, for example, packet data technology which, as is known in theart, carries finite or variable length blocks of data. These blocks ofdata are typically limited in size by packet switching infrastructure,for example, 512 bytes of information. Longer messages may be subdividedinto multiple packets and reassembled automatically at the receivingend, as is also known in the art. Each packet of data is not necessarilya complete message, but rather contains up to 512 bytes of data. Eachpacket can be sent through different channels and is put together as awhole message upon receipt by the network 12. The use of packet datatechnology makes it difficult for unauthorized personnel to determinewhere a specific message begins and ends. Such a scheme also presents ahighly efficient and reliable method to handle data.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ARP 7 includes, for example, a plurality ofinformation fields. For example, a field 22 is for the MSN which mayinclude such information as a model number and the identity of themanufacturer of the device 5 as well as a date of manufacture. Inaddition, the ARP 7 has a field 23 for the GNA and a user informationfield 24. The user information field 24 may contain, for example,personal information relating to the user, an area of desired coverageof the device 5, a method of payment, and/or a level of service.Further, the ARP 7 has a field 25 for optional network routinginformation so that the network can efficiently route response messagesto the original point. The ARP 7 also has a field 26 for identifyinginformation of the base station 10 that received the ARP 7 from thedevice 5.

All information fields in the ARP 7 can be encrypted. Each field of theARP 7 may have, for example, a different encryption scheme, or, ifdesired, no encryption. This allows a further enhancement to thesecurity of the device 5. Such a security scheme provides an advantageto the service provider 16 because, for example, the user informationfield 24 (which information is only required by the service provider16), may be encrypted using a different encryption scheme than thenetwork provider 28 information, and thus can be kept secret from thenetwork provider 28.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of data in the network 12. When the ARP 7 istransmitted by the device 5 via the modem 11 to the network 12, the basestation 10 which receives the ARP 7 inserts a node number (e.g., routinginformation) into the field 25 and optionally inserts a node number andbase station number into fields 25 and 26, correspondingly. The network12 decrypts the ARP 7, except for the personal information. If the MSNand the GNA of the ARP 7 match the MSN and the GNA provided by themanufacturer of the device 5 and stored in a database of network 12,then the network 12 accepts the ARP 7. Subsequently, the network 12routes the ARP 7 via a network switching infrastructure 30, such as aMOBITEX network, to a gateway 14 which facilitates the automated processof assigning a UNA to the device 6 and activating the device on thenetwork 12. The gateway 14 sends an authorization request to the serviceprovider 16 for verification.

The verification can be done, for example, via a service providergateway 27 connected to the gateway 14. The service provider gateway 27,like the gateway 14, is, for example, a processor based device, such asa computer or a network server, that may contain an authenticationprogram developed by the service provider 16 which includes theauthentication criteria of the service provider 16. The service provider16 evaluates the ARP 7 and if it is approved, authorization is sent tothe gateway 14. At the time the ARP 7 is received, the gateway 14selects a UNA from a UNA pool 15, which is stored, for example, in a UNAdatabase in the network 12, and provides the UNA to the service providergateway 27. Thus, if the service provider gateway 27 determines that theauthentication request is approved, the UNA is already available to beprovided to the device 5. Then, the network 12 informs a Client AccountManagement database (CAM) 17 that the UNA is being assigned to theclient. The CAM 17 keeps track of all records of assigned and availableUNAs.

However, if the authentication request is denied, however, then thegateway 14 is so informed and the UNA can be returned to the UNA pool15. If the service is authenticated for the device 5, then the UNA isinserted into the field 34 of an activation response packet 18.

The response packet 18 is generated by the gateway 14, and includes, forexample, as shown in FIG. 5, a field 32 for the MSN, a field 33 for theGNA, a field 34 for the UNA, a field 35 for the node number, and a field36 for the base station number. The present invention has an advantageover existing systems in that it also provides an opportunity for theservice providers 16 to insert into the response activation packet 18,for example, a welcome message, user instructions, and marketinginformation.

Each field of the response packet 18, as in the ARP 7, can be encryptedutilizing different encryption algorithms. Such a scheme allows theservice provider 16 to limit the access of others to certain fields ofthe response packet 18. The network provider 28, on the other hand, maylimit access to the field 34 where the UNA is stored. The presentinvention by the use of a GNA initially programmed into thecommunication device 5 and by the subsequent over-the-air provision of aUNA at the time of activation of the device 5 or other selected time,further allows the service provider 16 and the network provider 28 tohave full control of activating, authenticating and authorizing thedevices 5. This eliminates the need for specific configuration toolsthat might be acquired or used by unauthorized personnel.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the response packet18 does not have to be broadcast nationally. For example, during the OAAprocess according to the present invention, the user stays in the samegeographical location from which the user sent the ARP 7 until thedevice 5 is activated which takes, for example two minutes. In aconventional pager system, however, the location of a particularcommunication device is not known and thus a signal for a particularcommunication device must be transmitted throughout the entire coveragearea of the wireless communications network. Further, a conventionalpager system would only provide one way communication from the networkto the communicating device and thus the network has no way of knowingwhere a particular communication device is located and therefore mustbroadcast a signal intended for the device throughout the entirecoverage area. It also has no way of knowing that the device actuallyreceived the broadcast message. According to the present invention,however, the response packet 18 is transmitted and broadcasted throughthe base station 10 which originally received the ARP 7, therebyreducing the processing burden on the network 12. Once reprogrammed, thedevice 5 can provide notification that it has been reprogrammed.

If the device 5 does not receive the response packet 18 within, forexample, two minutes, the device 5 will re-send the ARP 7. If, forexample, three attempts to receive the response packet 18 fail, thedevice 5 will inform the user via the output device 19. If theactivation response packet 18 has been received by the device 5, then itis decrypted. If the GNA and the MSN fields of the response packet 18match corresponding fields of the device 5, then the UNA, which isstored in the field 24 of the response packet 18, is copied into thelocation 3 of the memory storage unit 13 of the communication device 5.This can be preformed, for example, by writing the UNA into nonvolatileprotected memory, such as a Flash PROM or EEPROM, once the UNA isproperly decoded.

After the UNA is loaded over-the-air into the communication device 5,the device 5 restarts and sends, via the wireless modem 11 an encryptedmessage to the wireless network 12 informing the network 2 that thedevice 5 is “BORN”, i.e. operational. The network 12 then registers themessage and updates its database of operational devices 5. Subsequently,the network 12 sends to the device 5 a welcome message confirming itsoperational status. In the “welcome” message, the service provider 16may include information which, for example, has confirmation and welcomemessages from the service provider 16. Accordingly, the device 5 is nowactivated.

Eliminating the need for manufacturers to insert the UNA into thelocation 3 for every device 5 during the assembly process due to the useof the GNA reduces the cost of manufacturing device 5 which alsotranslates to a lower cost of device 5.

Utilization of the GNA is an advantage of the present invention overexisting systems. According to the present invention, a communicationdevice 5 is pre-programmed with a common GNA during the manufacturingprocess: The use of a common GNA eliminates the need for allocating, atthe time of manufacture, a UNA for every device 5 that may, for example,be placed in inventory for an extended period of time. Also, as amanufacturer may produce communication devices 5 for service providers16 in various countries with each country having its own UNAassignments, without the use of a GNA in each device 5 according to thepresent invention, the manufacturer would have to assign a UNA for eachcommunication device 5 based on, for example, a projection of the needfor devices in each country. Such an arrangement, as exists in the priorart, can present a distribution problem. For example, if actualrequirements for each country vary from the manufacturer's projections,this would result in manual UNA reprogramming of the communicationdevices or non-use of assigned UNAs. Further, without the use of GNAaccording to the present invention, even within a particular country,the use of pre-assigned UNAs limits the ability to allocate, forexample, groups of sequential UNAs to, for example, a particular serviceprovider as the pre-assignment of UNAs by manufacturer ties theallocation of the UNAs to particular communication devices 5 and not tothe activation of the device 5. Thus, utilizing a GNA preserves andoptimally utilizes the limited UNA pool 15. Additionally, recovery ofthe UNA from deactivated devices 5 can be significantly expedited. Thiscan be performed by assigning the UNA of a deactivated device to a newdevice. If the old, deactivated device tries to communicate, the networkwill realize that the UNA is no longer assigned to the device becausethe serial number and UNA pair are no longer valid. Therefore, thenetwork sends the device a message that prohibits further communicationfrom the now deactivated device.

The method according to the present invention is also advantageousbecause it not only makes the OAA process available for the device 5, italso simplifies the activation process for the user of the communicationdevice 5. For example, the device 5 can be activated and registeredwithin, for example, two minutes compared to 45 minutes for conventionalwireless communication systems. According to the present invention, forexample, users will not have to fill out subscription forms or placecalls to a customer service organization for activation. The entire OAAprocess is automated and requires no human intervention. In addition,the present invention allows the service provider 16, by sending aspecific command (or by using a combination of events) over-the-air, inthe same manner as the activation process, to quickly and efficientlydisable the device 5 if, for example, the device 5 has been lost or isbeing used by an unauthorized user. Accordingly, the present inventionsignificantly reduces the cost of activation or deactivation of thecommunication devices by eliminating the human resources and manualeffort required to activate, deactivate or modify the communicationdevices.

Another advantage of the present invention is a capability to provideon-line help and service information. The present invention allows theuser to have instant access to help and service information from theservice provider gateway 14 during the OAA process.

In addition to the OAA process, the present invention allows the user tochange, over-the-air, available service for the device 5. For example,once the device 5 is activated, it operates in the user's mode. The usercan, however, follow steps that are substantially similar steps to thesteps during the OAA process to effect further changes in service. Theuser, for example, may change a service level, area of coverage, orfrequency band. Also when the user desires to deactivate the device 5,the steps of deactivation are generally similar to the steps of the OAAprocess. During the deactivation process, the UNA is removed from thelocation 3 of the memory unit 13 and returned to the UNA pool 15, andthe network 12 updates CAM 17 database and sends, for example, a “DIE”message to the device 5.

The billing process for a wireless communication system is alsosimplified and more flexible according to the present invention. Thepresent invention allows the user to select, as part of theauthorization request process, different levels of services during theOAA process. The service provider 16 can also associate a block of UNAswith a particular service level and thus allow the network provider toactivate a specific UNA for the requested service. Under such a scheme,the billing process is simplified for the service provider 16 since theUNAs can be allocated for services rather than to device manufactures.

One exemplary use of the present invention is in a car tracking device.The car tracking device can be similar to the device 5, except it isinstalled in a car and has only an automated mode which, for example, ispre-programmed at the time of assembly of the tracking device. Further,the tracking device, unlike the device 5, does not need the outputdevice 19 or the input device 20. Instead, the tracking deviceincorporates, for example, a GPS system, which is capable of determininga geographical location of the car.

The tracking device can be preprogrammed to initiate contact with thewireless network 12 at predetermined tracking intervals, for exampleonce a month. The tracking device transmits a message which issubstantially similar to the ARP 7 and includes information such as theMSN and the GNA of the tracking device as well as the GPS information.Upon receiving the message, the wireless network 12 decrypts the MSNfield and the GNA field, and compares them to the information stored inthe wireless network 12 database. For example, if the car is supposed tobe located in a defined geographical area, such as metropolitan New YorkCity or New England, the car's actual location can be determined via theGPS data. If the car is not in the proper area, then an alarm can beactivated, for example, to indicate that the location of the car needsto be investigated. The network 12 could then route a message to apredetermined party that tracks the geographical location of the car.

An advantage of the present invention, which is also embodied in the cartracking device set forth above, is that the tracking device does notutilize a UNA. Instead, a tracking device can utilize the GNA which canalso be used for all tracking devices. As described, the identity of thecar is determined upon looking at the MSN and the GNA combination.

In another aspect of the present invention, instead of device 5 beingassociated with a mobile entity, device 5 is associated with a fixedsite device such as an “intelligent” vending machine, burglar/fire alarmor television set-top box, whereby the fixed-site device can communicatewith a central location, e.g., vending machine owner, security office orpolice/fire station, or a cable or satellite television serviceprovider's head end. As used herein, “fixed site device” is meant toinclude all devices that are typically non-mobile once they are in use,but does not mean that such. devices cannot be moved at all. Fixed sitedevices may also include appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashersor air conditioning systems, for example.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, location 4 of memorystorage unit 13 in wireless device 5 preferably includes an applicationthat includes interface functionality that allows wireless device 5 tointeract with the fixed site device. Specifically, the applicationpreferably is able to access memory in the fixed site device andtransmit information concerning the status of the fixed site device orinformation concerning a request for service.

For example, in the case of a vending machine, the vending machine'sowner may want to learn, on a periodic basis, the status of theinventory stored by the vending machine and/or whether sufficientmonetary change (i.e., coins) is available. Device 5, when associatedwith such a vending machine, may pass this type of information viawireless network 12 to the vending machine owner. Since the vendingmachine likely needs to seldom send such information (e.g., only onceper day, week or month) it is wasteful to assign to wireless device 5associated with the vending machine a UNA which cannot be used by anyother wireless device 5.

FIG. 6 shows an example of how the present aspect of the inventionpreferably functions. While FIG. 6 is described in the context of avending machine, the method described can be applied to any fixed sitedevice. At step 600, the vending machine detects a condition for whichit is desired to contact the vending machine owner. Such a condition canbe based on whether a particular time as been reached (e.g., end of a24-hour period), whether a threshold has been reached (e.g. lowinventory, low “change”) or whether any other predetermined event hasoccurred (e.g., a mechanical malfunction). At step 610 the fixed sitedevice then causes device 5 associated with the fixed site device toinitiate a similar course of steps as is illustrated in FIG. 2. That is,at step 610, contact is initiated with network 12. Then at step 620, anactivation request packet (ARP) is formed. However, instead of customerinformation 24 (as shown in FIG. 3), this memory location insteadpreferably includes identification information for the vending machinevia which the vending machine owner can identify precisely which vendingmachine is communicating. The vending machine can also be identified ifa database is provided that matches the vending machine with aparticular MSN of a wireless device 5.

At step 630 the ARP is sent to the network and thereafter, at step 640,device 5 associated with the vending machine receives and stores a UNA.Using this UNA the vending machine can then communicate with the vendingmachine owner (which, of course, could be an automated or computerizedsystem, not necessarily a person) regarding its status or servicerequest.

Finally, in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, whenthe communication is complete, the network 12 or service provider 16preferably takes back the UNA. More specifically, device 5 associatedwith the vending machine preferably sends a deactivation request packetto network 1 whereby a “DIE” message, as previously explained, may besent to device 5. As a result, the previously assigned UNA is deletedand returned to the UNA pool so that the UNA can thereafter be madeavailable to another device 5 as necessary.

In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, instead ofserver provider gateway 27 being used primarily for authenticating ARPs,service provider gateway 27 preferably also includes computer equipmentand/or messaging capability whereby the persons responsible for, e.g.,servicing the vending machine, are notified of the status or servicerequest of the vending machine.

While the UNA dynamic allocation aspect of the present invention hasbeen described with respect to an “intelligent” vending machine, otherfixed site devices can also benefit from the method and system of thisaspect of the present invention. For example, a burglar or fire alarmcompany might want to rely not only on conventional wireline telephonetechnology for communicating an alarm condition, but might also wantalarming redundancy via a wireless network. Since burglar and firealarms seldom occur, it is undesirable to assign a UNA to a device 5associated with such alarm systems. Instead, the dynamic allocation of aUNA when an alarm event occurs is a much more desirable way to save thelimited and therefore precious pool of available UNAs.

Still another advantageous use of this aspect of the present inventionis to incorporate a device 5 in a television set-top box, or evendirectly in a so-called cable-ready television set. Such devices arebecoming more “intelligent” in the sense that pre-paid programming canbe offered via the set-top box and/or merchandise and/or services can beoffered and purchased via the set-top box. In addition to having theconventional “cable” for communication between a customer and a centrallocation (i.e., the head end of the cable provider), a cable companymight want to add redundancy to its system and also include wirelessconnectivity. Further, in the case of satellite television, there is nocable that can provide communication between a customer and the cableprovider. Accordingly, the telephone, or preferably in accordance withthe present invention, a wireless network, is employed to establish thedesired communication between the parties.

When a cable television set-top box is manufactured, the manufacturerlikely does not know when or where the set-top box will ultimately bedeployed. Thus, it is desirable, in accordance with the principals ofthe present invention, to pre-program each device 5 in a set-top boxwith a GNA and dynamically allocate a UNA when a customer desires tocommunicate with a central location in order to purchase products orservices offered by the. cable or satellite television provider. As aby-product of the OAA process of the present invention, the cable orsatellite television operator also can detect which base station 10 wasused by device 5 associated with the set-top box that connected with thenetwork. Accordingly, the cable or satellite operator can broadcastinformation over that base station and address the information to theGNA whereby device 5, even not having been allocated a UNA, can receivegeneral or geographically focused information, sales solicitations andthe like.

The foregoing disclosure, of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scopeof the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto,and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, unless that order is required by thedescription of the process in the specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communicating between (i) a fixedsite device and (ii) a service provider that is connected to a wirelessnetwork, comprising the steps of: (a) co-locating a wirelesscommunication device having a generic network address (GNA) with thefixed site device; (b) detecting a predetermined event upon whichcommunication with the service provider is desired; (c) generating, inthe communication device, an activation request message including thegeneric network address; (d) transmitting the activation request messageto the wireless network; (e) generating an activation response messageincluding a unique network address (UNA) which is to be used, at leasttemporarily, by the communication device; (f) transmitting theactivation response message to the communication device, therebyactivating the communication device with the UNA; and (g) deactivatingthe communication device by returning the UNA to a pool of UNAs forsubsequent use by another communication device.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising transmitting information from the communicationdevice to the service provider over the wireless network using the UNA.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixed site device is a vendingmachine.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixed site device is analarm system.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixed site device isa television set-top box.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the set-topbox is one of a cable and satellite television set-top box.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the communication device receives informationthat is addressed to its GNA.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined event is one of a completion of a period of time, analarm, an inventory threshold and a malfunction.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the activation request message includes a manufacturer serialnumber of the communication device, the GNA of the communication device,a node number and a base station number.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the activation request message is transmitted to the networkwhen an activation process is initiated without a request by thenetwork.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation requestmessage is encrypted.
 12. A method of dynamically allocating a uniquenetwork address (UNA) to a wireless communication device that isco-located with a fixed site device, comprising the steps of: (a)detecting a predetermined event upon which communication between thefixed site device and a second location is desired; (b) generating, inthe communication device, an activation request message including ageneric network address; (c) transmitting the activation request messageto a network; (d) generating an activation response message including aunique network address (UNA) which is to be used at least temporarilywith the communication device; (e) transmitting the activation responsemessage to the communication device, thereby activating thecommunication device with the UNA; and (f) deactivating thecommunication device and by returning the UNA to a pool of UNAs forsubsequent use by another communication device.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the wireless communication device includes a generic networkaddress (GNA) that is included in the activation request message. 14.The method of claim 12, wherein the fixed site device is a vendingmachine.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the fixed site device is analarm system.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the fixed site deviceis a television set-top box.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein theset-top box is one of a cable and satellite television set-top box. 18.The method of claim 12, wherein the communication device receivesinformation that is addressed to its GNA.
 19. The method of claim 12,wherein the predetermined event is one of a completion of a period oftime, an alarm, and an inventory threshold.
 20. The method of claim 12,wherein the activation request message includes a manufacturer serialnumber of the communication device, a node number and a base stationnumber.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation requestmessage is transmitted to the network when an activation process isinitiated without a request by the network.
 22. The method of claim 12,wherein the activation request message is encrypted.
 23. A fixed sitedevice including a wireless communication device, the wirelesscommunication device comprising: a radio modem including a scanningcircuit; a microprocessor coupled to the radio modem; an input devicecoupled to the microprocessor; and a memory storage unit coupled to themicroprocessor, the memory storage unit being preprogrammed with ageneric network address (GNA), wherein the fixed site device transmitsinformation via the wireless communication device after receiving aunique network address (UNA) and wherein the UNA is made available toanother wireless communication device after the information has beentransmitted.
 24. The fixed site device of claim 23, wherein the UNA isreturned to a pool of UNAs for subsequent use by another communicationdevice.
 25. The fixed site device of claim 23, wherein the fixed sitedevice is a vending machine.
 26. The fixed site device if claim 23,wherein the fixed site device is an alarm system.
 27. The fixed sitedevice of claim 23, wherein the fixed site device is a televisionset-top box.
 28. The fixed site device of claim 27, wherein the set-topbox is one of a cable and satellite television set-top box.
 29. Thefixed site device of claim 23, wherein the wireless communication devicereceives information that is addressed to its GNA.
 30. The fixed sitedevice of claim 23, wherein a predetermined event initiatescommunication via the wireless communication device.
 31. The fixed sitedevice of claim 30, wherein the predetermined event is one of acompletion of a period of time, an alarm, and a threshold condition. 32.The fixed site device of claim 23, wherein an activation request messageis sent by the radio modem and the activation request message includes amanufacturer serial number of the wireless communication device, the GNAof the wireless communication device, a node number and a base stationnumber.
 33. The fixed site device of claim 32, wherein the activationrequest message is transmitted to a network when an activation processis initiated without a request by the network.